GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE:EAF) Major Shareholder Colonial House Capital Ltd Buys 2,303,599 Shares

GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE:EAF) major shareholder Colonial House Capital Ltd acquired 2,303,599 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 16th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $1.78 per share, for a total transaction of $4,100,406.22. Following the purchase, the insider now owns 29,535,575 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $52,573,323.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Large shareholders that own more than 10% of a company’s shares are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC.

GrafTech International Price Performance

Shares of EAF stock remained flat at $1.49 during mid-day trading on Thursday. 2,231,616 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,538,497. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $1.52 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $2.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.90, a quick ratio of 1.81 and a current ratio of 3.54. GrafTech International Ltd. has a 1-year low of $1.18 and a 1-year high of $5.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $381.88 million, a PE ratio of -1.48 and a beta of 1.14.

GrafTech International (NYSE:EAF) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The company reported ($0.27) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.14) by ($0.13). The firm had revenue of $137.10 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $141.20 million. GrafTech International had a negative net margin of 41.14% and a negative return on equity of 39.57%. GrafTech International’s revenue was down 44.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.17 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that GrafTech International Ltd. will post -0.49 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on EAF shares. Citigroup dropped their price target on GrafTech International from $4.00 to $2.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on shares of GrafTech International from $2.00 to $1.50 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. UBS Group began coverage on shares of GrafTech International in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $2.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of GrafTech International from $3.00 to $2.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $1.88.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY raised its stake in GrafTech International by 21.8% in the 4th quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY now owns 11,984 shares of the company’s stock worth $57,000 after acquiring an additional 2,148 shares during the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of GrafTech International by 10.6% during the second quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 25,220 shares of the company’s stock worth $127,000 after purchasing an additional 2,408 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its position in GrafTech International by 101.5% during the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 5,339 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 2,690 shares during the period. Wells Fargo & Company MN boosted its holdings in GrafTech International by 3.6% in the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 79,969 shares of the company’s stock valued at $381,000 after purchasing an additional 2,757 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new stake in GrafTech International during the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. 92.83% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

GrafTech International Company Profile

GrafTech International Ltd. research, develops, manufactures, and sells graphite and carbon-based solutions worldwide. The company offers graphite electrodes to produce electric arc furnace steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals; and petroleum needle coke, a crystalline form of carbon used in the production of graphite electrodes and synthetic graphite.